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Or who is honoured now but for his wealth?
Rather had I a Jew be hated thus,
Than pitied in a Christian poverty:
For I can see no fruits in all their faith,
But malice, falsehood, and excessive pride,
Which methinks fits not their profession.
Haply some hapless man hath conscience,
And for his conscience lives in beggary.
They say we are a scattered nation :

I cannot tell, but we have scambled1 up

More wealth by far than those that brag of faith.
There's Kirriah Jairim, the great Jew of Greece,
Obed in Bairseth, Nones in Portugal,
Myself in Malta, some in Italy,

Many in France, and wealthy every one;
I, wealthier far than any Christian.

I must confess we come not to be kings;
That's not our fault: alas, our number's few,
And crowns come either by succession,

Or urged by force; and nothing violent,
Oft have I heard tell, can be permanent.

Give us a peaceful rule, make Christians kings,
That thirst so much for principality.

I have no charge, nor many children,

But one sole daughter, whom I hold as dear
As Agamemnon did his Iphigene :

And all I have is hers. But who comes here?

1 A recognised form of "scrambled." Cf. Henry V. i, 1 :— "But that the scambling and unquiet time

Did push it out of farther question."

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Enter three Jews.1

1 Jew. Tush, tell not me; 'twas done of policy. 2 Jew. Come, therefore, let us go to Barabas, For he can counsel best in these affairs;

And here he comes.

Bar. Why, how now, countrymen ! Why flock you thus to me in multitudes ? What accident's betided to the Jews?

I Jew. A fleet of warlike galleys, Barabas, Are come from Turkey, and lie in our road : And they this day sit in the council-house To entertain them and their embassy.

Bar. Why, let 'em come, so they come not to war; Or let 'em war, so we be conquerors—

Nay, let 'em combat, conquer, and kill all!

150

So they spare me, my daughter, and my wealth. [Aside. 1 Jew. Were it for confirmation of a league,

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They would not come in warlike manner thus.
2 Jew. I fear their coming will afflict us all.
Bar. Fond men! what dream you of their multitudes.
What need they treat of peace that are in league ?
The Turks and those of Malta are in league.
Tut, tut, there is some other matter in't.

1 Jew. Why, Barabas, they come for peace or war.
Bar. Haply for neither, but to pass along
Towards Venice by the Adriatic Sea ;
With whom they have attempted many times,
But never could effect their stratagem.

VOL. II.

1 The scene is shifted to the Exchange.

B

3 Jew. And very wisely said. It may be so. 2 Jew. But there's a meeting in the senate-house, And all the Jews in Malta must be there.

Bar. Hum; all the Jews in Malta must be there?
I, like enough, why then let every man
Provide him, and be there for fashion-sake.
If anything shall there concern our state,
Assure yourselves I'll look-unto myself.

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[Aside.

I Jew. I know you will; well, brethren, let us go. 2 Jew. Let's take our leaves; farewell, good Barabas. Bar. Farewell,1 Zaareth; farewell, Temainte.

And, Barabas, now search this secret out;
Summon thy senses, call thy wits together:
These silly men mistake the matter clean.
Long to the Turk did Malta contribute;
Which tribute, all in policy I fear,

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[Exeunt Jews.

The Turks have let increase to such a sum
As all the wealth in Malta cannot pay;
And now by that advantage thinks belike
To seize upon the town: I, that he seeks.
Howe'er the world go, I'll make sure for one,
And seek in time to intercept the worst,
Warily guarding that which I ha' got.
Ego mihimet sum semper proximus.?

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Why, let 'em enter, let 'em take the town.

[Exit.

"

1 Old ed. "Iew. Doe so; Farewell, Zaareth," &c. Dyce is doubtless right in considering that "doe so is a stage direction (= Exeunt Merchants), which has crept into the text.

2 A misquotation from Terence's Andria, iv. 1. 12, egomet mihi,"

"Proximus sum

SCENE II.

Enter Governor of Malta, Knights, and Officers; met by Bassoes of the Turk, CALYMATH.

Gov. Now, Bassoes, what demand you at our hands? 1 Bas. Know, Knights of Malta, that we come from Rhodes,

From Cyprus, Candy, and those other Isles

That lie betwixt the Mediterranean seas.

Gov. What's Cyprus, Candy, and those other Isles
To us, or Malta? What at our hands demand ye?
Cal. The ten years' tribute that remains unpaid.
Gov. Alas! my lord, the sum is over-great,
I hope your highness will consider us.

Cal. I wish, grave governor,2 'twere in my power
To favour you, but 'tis my father's cause,
Wherein I may not, nay, I dare not dally.

IO

Gov. Then give us leave, great Selim Calymath. [Consults apart with the Knights. Cal. Stand all aside, and let the Knights determine, And send to keep our galleys under sail,

For happily we shall not tarry here;

Now, governor,2 [say,] how are you resolved?

Gov. Thus since your hard conditions are such
That you will needs have ten years' tribute past,
We may have time to make collection
Amongst the inhabitants of Malta for't.

1 Scene: the Senate-house.

2 Old ed. 66 governours,"

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I Bas. That's more than is in our commission.

Cal. What, Callipine! a little courtesy.
Let's know their time, perhaps it is not long;
And 'tis more kingly to obtain by peace

Than to enforce conditions by constraint.
What respite ask you, governor ? 1

Gov. But a month.

Cal. We grant a month, but see you keep your pro

mise.

Now launch our galleys back again to sea,

Where we'll attend the respite you have ta'en,
And for the money send our messenger.

Farewell, great governor1 and brave Knights of Malta.
Gov. And all good fortune wait on Calymath!

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[Exeunt CALYMATH and Bassoes.

Go one and call those Jews of Malta hither:
Were they not summoned to appear to-day?
Off. They were, my lord, and here they come.

Enter BARABAS and three Jews.

1 Knight. Have you determined what to say to them? Gov. Yes, give me leave:-and, Hebrews, now come

near.

From the Emperor of Turkey is arrived.
Great Selim Calymath, his highness' son,
To levy of us ten years' tribute past,

Now then, here know that it concerneth us—

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1 Old ed. "governours."

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